How to Maintain a Frost Free Fridge and Freezer

A frost-free fridge and freezer will eliminate the need to defrost manually. This can save you time, effort and electricity when compared to a traditional refrigerator/freezer.

If ice crystals appear on the package frozen food items can be damaged. These crystals can cause freezer burn and alter the texture of your food.

Defrost

frydge.uk defrosting process for the freezer isn't glamorous nor fun, but it is an essential part of maintaining your fridge and freezer. Warm air is drawn into the freezer each time you open it, causing condensation and frozen surfaces. This frost interferes the freezer's ability to regulate temperature, making it work overtime and consume more energy. It can also affect the taste and quality of food and lead to freezer burn.

Defrosting a freezer on your own is the best choice however it can take a long time. If you're looking to accelerate the process then a handheld steamer or hairdryer could be used. Be sure to unplug and turn off the freezer prior to beginning. Take out any frozen food items and clean up any spilled water.

Make sure you have an extra towel, or a plastic liner, prepared prior to starting the defrosting procedure. This will absorb any water that spills. It's also a good idea to empty out your freezer completely to allow you to reorganize the food that is left and get rid of old or expired items. After the defrosting process is complete, make sure to thoroughly clean and dry the freezer prior to turning it off.

Close and open the door of your freezer several times to increase the temperature. Then, remove all shelves and drawer compartments to give yourself easier access to the ice. You can also put some extremely absorbent towels or newspaper on the floor to soak up any puddles of melting Ice.

When the ice melts keep a heated spoon or plastic spatula nearby to break off any large chunks that may be accumulating on the interior walls. Avoid using sharp objects like forks, knives, or ice picks when trying to break through the ice. This can cause damage and leaks to the freezer. Also, remember to wipe down and rinse the drawers and shelves that are removable after the ice has been removed. After cleaning the freezer connect it to the power source and allow it to run for a few hours to get back to its normal freezing temperatures.

Clean

Regular cleaning is the best method of preventing spores and food smells from accumulating. Throw away any produce that is damaged or past its prime. Clean all drawers and shelves with soapy water using a damp cloth (I use Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid). Dry them. I also clean the freezer with a cloth that is dipped in a solution of baking soda and vinegar or water. Stubborn stains may require scrubbing with a nonscratch scrub brush. I also clean the coils in the back of my refrigerator by using a nozzle. This removes all dust and pet hair that accumulates in difficult-to-access places.

You will not have to defrost your frost-free refrigerator more often than you do with other models. Frost free fridges have an automatic cooling mechanism that cools the food by circulating cold air through the refrigerator which eliminates the necessity of manually defrosting the appliance. It is important to clean your refrigerator at least once a week. Throw out any food that has passed its expiration date and remove all old bottles, jars and soy sauce packets.

To make defrosting easier take the contents out of your freezer and move them into a different freezer, a cooler with ice packs, or a box lined with blankets. During this process, cover the floor of the freezer by using an old cloth. You can remove any remaining ice once the freezer has been defrosted using an ice scraper made of plastic.

If your fridge is equipped with an automatic defrost feature, you'll see an indicator light that will let you know when it's time to defrost. To ensure that you don't lose any frozen foods during the defrost process, you can empty the freezer and put it on a counter. Then, you can replenish it with frozen foods that have an extended shelf life. You can then use an old towel to catch any water that drips from the freezer as it melts.

Maintaining

If frost gets on the evaporator coil and it freezes which causes the fridge to work harder and use more energy. This is why maintaining it regularly is so important. Unplugging the freezer and cleaning the evaporator coil will stop this from happening in the first place.

If the defrost system is working correctly there should be a layer of frost that will form on the evaporator in an evenly pattern. If ice is building up on the evaporator, but it's not a problem with defrost, it could be an indication of a malfunctioning thermostat or timer.

In older models, a supply and return air duct to and from the freezer can become blocked by pet hair, dirt or food residue. This makes the compressor to work harder and generates a lot of excess heat that is transferred to the refrigerator's section cabinet and create warm temperatures there, particularly around the freezer doors. By keeping the gasket of the freezer door free of any damage and ensuring that it is in good condition will lessen the chance of this happening.

The frequent openings of the freezer could also allow moist air from the room to enter the appliance. This creates an environment where frost and ice can form more quickly. The freezer should be kept tightly closed to reduce the chances of ice and frost forming.

Clean the evaporator drain trough regularly to ensure it isn't clogged with food debris or ice. A hand-held vacuum hose or a specially designed refrigerator coil cleaner (typically with a brush that slips into difficult-to-access places) is a good method to accomplish this.

Keep the freezer space clear of any obstructions that could hinder airflow or block the condenser fan. Clean the shelves and walls of the freezer using hot dish soap and hot water. You can also use baking soda to remove any food debris and eliminate unpleasant odours. Air vents between the refrigerator and freezer compartments must not be blocked since this can cause an insufficient circulation of air, which could increase the humidity inside the appliance.


Repair

There are a variety of reasons your fridge freezer that is frost-free might not be functioning properly. The majority of these problems are easy to fix, but some require professional assistance. Most often, the issue is caused by something that blocks air from moving to and from the freezer section of the unit. This could be caused by over-packed food packages, clogged ventilation gaps and/or opening the door for too long.

Unplug your fridge prior to completing any repairs or maintenance. This reduces the chance of electric shock and allows any accumulated frost to melt naturally.

If the refrigerator isn't cooling it could be due to an issue with the defrost. This type of fridge and freeze will automatically turn on an electric heater to melt any frost that is on the evaporator. The melted frost is drained through a drain pipe to a pan at the back of the refrigerator and then evaporates into ambient air. The timer for defrost may be malfunctioning and need to be replaced.

A damaged seal could be preventing cold air to be able to enter the freezer area of your fridge. This can be easily repaired by cleaning the seal using warm water and a small amount of soap. Also, make sure that there aren't any objects that are sat against the wall of the freezer or blocking any vents for the freezer.

You can also replace the freezer gasket if it's damaged or worn. The majority of major appliance manufacturers provide replacement parts for their products directly, including freezer gaskets. It is important to remember that only a professional with a license should replace the freezer gasket.

You may also be experiencing an issue with the evaporator that circulates air in the freezer area of your refrigerator. There is a clicking noise when the fan is turned on. The evaporator's ice is getting too thick and is causing the fan blades to be damaged. This is a problem that will need to be diagnosed by a trained professional.